13 January 2021
COVID-19 Measures on Christmas & Cocos (Keeling) Islands
As at 13 January, there are NO cases of COVID-19 in the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT).
Masks on domestic flights
On Friday, 8 January 2021, National Cabinet agreed to additional aviation measures to strengthen protection of Australians from COVID-19.
Effectively immediately, for domestic air travel, including flights to the IOT, all passengers (excluding children 12 and under or those with particular exemptions) and air crew must wear masks on flights and in airports.
Virgin Australia has implemented these requirements across all its flights, including the IOT service. Passengers will be required to wear masks unless eating or drinking, or unless a medical exemption applies.
In accordance with the current process, any passengers who do not have a mask will be supplied one by the on-ground VARA team, with masks also available on board all aircraft.
See links for further information:
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/statement-national-cabinet
Recovery flights and travel approvals
During the summer months, you may find your travel plans impacted by weather. If this occurs and your Virgin Australia flight to the IOT is re-scheduled, you do NOT need to submit a new travel application as your travel approval will be transferred to the revised flight date and Virgin Australia will be notified.
For those travelling to Perth on a re-scheduled flight, you will need to log in and update your G2G with your new arrival date yourself. This is a Western Australia Police requirement.
CURRENT TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS TO Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands
The IOT COVID-19 sub-committee continues, through its regular meetings, to monitor the ongoing community transmission on Australia’s east coast and adjust local settings as required. As you are aware, we are aligned to WA’s controlled border arrangements and risk ratings for the states and territories of mainland Australia.
Following the Queensland community transmission and the WA Government’s recent decision not to accept Queensland travellers from midnight on 8 January 2021, last week we cancelled all future approvals to travel to Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands from Queensland. This was consistent with the recent adjustments for Victoria and New South Wales. Travellers who were in Queensland after January 2 and recently arrived in WA are welcome to re-apply for travel approval to Christmas or Cocos (Keeling) Islands once you have completed fourteen days' self-isolation in WA and can provide a negative COVID-19 test.
Travellers from Queensland seeking an exemption to travel to the Christmas or Cocos (Keeling) Islands should use the Western Australian Government strict exemption list as a guide. All applications for exemption will be assessed on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with WA Government. Please note, the issuing of an exemption to travel to Christmas or Cocos (Keeling) Islands does not remove the requirement to undertake fourteen days' self-isolation/quarantine in WA prior to any travel to the islands.
Given the ongoing potential for rapid changes in the COVID situation in mainland states and territories, and corresponding adjustments to WA and IOT border settings, we would urge all IOT residents to give due consideration to their need for travel outside of CI, CKI and WA.
IOT residents and visitors need to understand that they may face significant challenges or delays in travelling to the IOT, given the current situation and need for rapid response for ongoing community protection. It is everyone’s obligation to stay informed on the relevant local situation and rules while you are undertaking travel, and ensure you are complying with them.
The WA exemption list is limited to:
- certain senior Government officials
- certain active military personnel
- a member of the Commonwealth Parliament
- a person carrying out functions under a law of the Commonwealth
- a person responsible for transport freight or logistics
- anyone who is given approval by IOT Administrator, Territory Controllers or WA State Emergency Coordinator or an authorised officer
- compassionate grounds.
Anyone affected by the changed border arrangements for Queensland who entered the IOT over recent days, has been being contacted, quarantined and medically screened – in line with the WA protocols and expert health advice.
Our rigorous and stringent processes, including mandatory application processes and detailed travel history for all travellers to Christmas or Cocos (Keeling) Islands, are in place to protect our communities.
The rapidly evolving situation across mainland Australia means we need all IOT community members to remain highly vigilant with hand hygiene and physical distancing. If you are ill with cold and flu type symptoms, please seek advice from the health service (via phone in the first instance if it is not a medical emergency).
The IOT COVID-19 Subcommittee continues to review the situation and adjust our settings as required, working closely with our Western Australian State Government partners to protect our communities and maintain our travel arrangements.
We appreciate your understanding and flexibility in our ongoing COVID response – the adjustments are critical to keep the IOT COVIDSafe and COVID-free. Further updates will be issued as needed.
COVID-19 IOT travel information website
This website provides up-to-date travel information for those planning on travelling to Christmas or Cocos (Keeling) Islands, tourism operators and other IOT based stakeholders
https://indianoceanterritories.com.au/covid-19-iot-travel-information/
The Office of the Administrator is responsible for ensuring the information is current.
Up-to-date information on travel to WA with controlled interstate borders can be found here:
Be COVIDSafe, keep COVID-free
There are still no cases of COVID-19 in the IOT. However, with the ongoing community transmission on Australia’s east coast, it is a timely reminder to be COVIDSafe.
This means staying at home if you are sick and getting medical advice on being tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms, even if they are only mild. If you are ill with respiratory symptoms, seek advice from the health service (via phone in the first instance if it is not a medical emergency).
Anyone who is ill should stay home until they are free of symptoms, regardless of whether they have returned a negative COVID test – we do not want respiratory illnesses of any kind circulating in our communities and ask people to do the right thing if they are unwell.
If you have previously been tested for COVID but start to feel sick again, get re-tested. Stay at home while you wait for your results.
COVIDSafe also means maintaining at least 1.5 metres between you and others at all times and regularly washing your hands - clean hands keep you healthy and help stop the spread of germs.
Regularly wash your hands for 20–30 seconds with soap. Remember to wash in between your fingers, the back of your hands and your thumbs.
Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, when you’re preparing food, before and after eating, and after you have been out. Hand sanitiser is a good alternative when soap and water aren’t available.
Changes to IOT travel application forms – new links available now
Given the recent adjustments to controlled border arrangements in WA and the IOT, the Territory Controllers and Office of the Administrator have now updated the application forms for travel to the IOT.
With travel now occurring from a broader range of locations, it was important to review the application process and information collected, to ensure it supports the current travel and border arrangements and continues to protect of the IOT communities from COVID-19.
Under the new arrangements, there are now individual application forms for Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) and Christmas Island (CI). All travellers – regardless of whether they are IOT residents or visitors – must complete a travel form. For example, Christmas Islanders travelling to Cocos must complete the form for travel entry into Cocos. The same applies for Cocos residents travelling to Christmas Island.
Anyone travelling to both islands will be required to complete forms for both CKI and CI.
The updated forms and process will better support the Territory Controllers and health service in our COVID-19 response and contact tracing, in the event of a positive COVID case in the IOT.
See the new form links for further information:
https://bit.ly/IOT_Traveller_Form_Cocos
https://bit.ly/IOT_Traveller_Form_Christmas
With every border adjustment, everyone must continue to play their part in keeping the IOT COVID-free, by following public gathering and hygiene rules.
Entry in to WA
All entry into WA requires approval from WA Police. All travellers to WA must apply using the “Good to Go Pass” app which is completed electronically. It can be found at https://www.g2gpass.com.au/. For anyone that is experiencing difficulties with obtaining approval from WA Police, please email iotadministrator@infrastructure.gov.au for assistance.
IOT to WA – how to complete the WA application:
- Nominate “Other”
- In the free text field, detail the nature of travel:
– declare that in the last 14 days prior to entry into WA, you have not been outside the IOT or WA (noting that there is a penalty for providing false information).
– provide details of your travel, including where you are travelling to and from, dates of travel and reason for travel. Add additional supporting documentation as required.
Looking after your mental health
It is important to reach out if you need support during the pandemic. The IOT Health Service has an excellent Managing Stress and Anxiety booklet, which includes a wide range of local and national resources. On island, you can speak to a health professional. For Christmas Island (CI), call 9164 8333, for Cocos (Keeling) Islands call 9162 7609 on Home Island or 9162 6655 on West island. The community social worker on CI can be contacted on 9164 8333 ext 128 or via text on 0447 975 436. People who are concerned about their children can speak with the CIDHS school psychologist. Those with private health cover may also choose to engage with their psychologist of choice via telehealth.
The Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health (headtohealth.gov.au) connects people to free, low cost phone, and online mental health services and supports from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations. It is a good place to start if you, or someone you care about, might need some help coping with anxiety and worry.
More information on mental health measures can be found at https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-national-health-plan-supporting-the-mental-health-of-australians-through-the-coronavirus-pandemic.
Who do I call for help, support or advice about Family Violence?
It is important that you know you can reach out for support even during the current State of Emergency. Family violence services across the IOTs are available for support and advice for anyone experiencing family violence or who is worried about how potential self-isolation or changes to your routine due to COVID-19 will impact on your safety and well-being.
If you need support, you can contact the health services, our social worker or police on the following numbers:
Christmas Island
- Christmas island Health Services 9164-8333
- Christmas Island Community Policing Team 9164-8444
- Social Worker Narelle Phone 9164 8333 ext 128 or 0447 975 436
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Home Island Clinic 9162-7609
- West Island Clinic 9162-6655
- Cocos Community Policing Team 9162-6600
Legal Aid WA
- 9261 6356 or
- CI Office 9164 7529
If you feel unsafe or are concerned for someone’s safety, please call 000
Kylie Lawson
Territory Controller
Christmas Island
David Williams
Territory Controller
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
